Chapter 443 — Double Ninth

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Dou Yan asked, "Should we tell our eldest aunt the truth?"

Song Yan shook her head. "Better not tell her. With a matter like this, every person kept in the dark is one more measure of safety."

Dou Yan nodded and said no more of it. Turning to the Double Ninth Festival, he asked, "Will you be free that day?"

"I'm afraid I'll be accompanying His Majesty to Rabbit Mountain," Song Yan said apologetically. "I'll have Xia Lian and the others escort you." Then she asked, "Have you decided where you'll go?"

"Xiang Mountain," Dou Xin said. "We'll go a little farther out."

Since coming to the capital, this would be Dou Yan's first time leaving the city.

Song Yan felt her guilt deepen.

She took Dou Zhiwei's hand and said, "Where else would you like to go? Next time I have a day off, we'll go together."

Dou Shi said that he was currently locked in contention with Song Cen and could not afford the slightest carelessness where the Emperor was concerned; he needed to show his face before His Majesty as often as possible and had little time to spare for her. She chose somewhere relatively close: "Then let's go offer incense at Puji Temple! I want to burn a few sticks for Yuan Heng."

"Good!" Song Yan said gently, her gaze resting on Dou Zhiwei, brimming with a soft warmth. "Once the child is a little older, we'll go somewhere farther—Jiangnan, Guangdong... to see those foreign barbarians."

Dou Xin took Song Yan's hand with a smile.

Song Yan's hand traveled upward along Dou Zhiwei's arm.

Dou Yan giggled, ticklish.

A small flame kindled in Song Yan's eyes.

But someone came to spoil the mood, announcing from beyond the door, "Heir Apparent, my lady, the Second Madam has come."

Song Yan's brows knitted. "This late, what does the Second Madam want?" Her tone was exceedingly curt.

The little maid trembled and said quaveringly, "The Second Madam says the Double Ninth is nearly upon us, and the Miao family's uncle sent over some flower cakes and osmanthus wine. The Second Madam brought them especially for the Heir Apparent and my lady to taste."

Song Yan was irritated.

But it was Song Han who was her enemy—not Miao Zhi, newly married into the household.

Dou Xin said, "I'll go and see."

Song Yan said sullenly, "Go and come back quickly. Don't let her rattle on and on; whatever there is to say can wait until tomorrow."

Dou Yan smiled with pursed lips and went out to the hall.

Miao Zhi wore a jacket of bright red brocade woven with a ten-pattern damask, a gold buyao pin in her hair, a light dusting of powder on her face—dazzlingly beautiful.

She smiled and bowed to Dou Yan, calling her "Elder Sister-in-Law" with great warmth. "My family lives far from the capital. I set out this morning and have only just arrived. I thought other things keep well enough, but these flower cakes won't last, so I brought them straight over. I hope I haven't disturbed your rest, Sister-in-Law?"

Since they were to live under the same roof from now on,.

Dou Xin said, "I had only just lain down. Had you come a little later, you would have had to wait for me to get up and dress again."

Miao Zhi was rather taken aback by Dou Zhiwei's frankness. She laughed behind her sleeve. "With beauty like yours, Sister-in-Law, what need is there for dressing up? It's people like me who can't go out to be seen without a proper fuss."

She was showing goodwill, and Dou also wished to live in harmony with her; it was only that this was truly no time for conversation. Dou Xin smiled and said, "Don't be so modest, Sister-in-Law. Didn't you notice the stunned look on everyone's faces the moment you lifted your veil?"

Miao Zhi laughed softly. "I hear that on the Double Ninth you mean to go mountain-climbing with the young lady of the cousin's family. Might I come along too?"

Dou asked without betraying anything, "Is the Second Master going?"

Miao Zhi said, "Would it be a bit awkward if he did?"

Dou Yan said, "That day the Heir Apparent is to accompany His Majesty to Rabbit Mountain."

Though they were brother-in-law and sister-in-law, there was little difference in their ages, and by propriety Song Han and Dou Yan ought to keep some distance.

Miao Zhi understood. She smiled and said, "Then I'll speak to the Second Master. I'll go along with Sister-in-Law and let him amuse himself."

Dou smiled noncommittally.

The next morning, Miao Zhi came to report: "The Second Master says I'm to go with Sister-in-Law."

Dou asked her at once, "How many people will you bring? Will two carriages arranged for you be enough?"

"No need for such trouble," Miao Zhi said hastily with a smile. "I can squeeze in with Sister-in-Law."

"How could that do!" Dou Xin said. "When you leave the residence, you represent the dignity of the Yingzhenguo Estate—how could you simply squeeze in with us? Don't refuse. I'll have them prepare two carriages for you: one for you, and one for your maids and serving women."

Miao Zhi thanked her again and again.

A little maid came in to announce, "The old gentleman from the Yunqi Temple alley has arrived."

So early—Father hasn't gone to the yamen, so what is he doing coming here?

Surely he wouldn't make a special trip just for the Double Ninth outing?

Dou Yan went to the small study in the outer courtyard to see Dou Huaiying.

Dou Huaiying looked somewhat anxious. "Is Yantang at the palace or at the Jinwu Guard headquarters?"

For a matter like this, he could have sent a servant boy to inquire. Yet the old gentleman came running over himself...

Dou Yan felt uneasy. "He said he'd enter the palace around noon."

Dou Huaiying hurried off in a flash, without so much as mentioning the Double Ninth Festival.

Dou Yan muttered to herself, and had someone keep watch at the gate, so that when Song Yan arrived he would be sent straight to her.

Song Yan came hurrying over drenched in sweat. She said at once, "Did Father find you?"

So that was what this was about.

Song Yan had a little maid wring out a towel for him, and went with her into the inner chamber to talk. "Last night your fifth uncle summoned your father-in-law, your sixth uncle, and all the Dou clansmen in the capital to the Huai Tree Alley. He told them to shut their doors and study, not to casually make friends of unknown origin, and not to attach themselves to any official's faction. Whatever the matter, great or small, they must first inform your uncle, or the family discipline would be invoked.

"After the younger generation had gone, your fifth uncle kept your sixth uncle and your father-in-law behind, and told them in confidence about the Prince of Liao, asking them to help keep watch over the Dou clansmen, so that no trouble would be stirred up at such a time.

"Your father-in-law was very worried when he heard it, afraid I might be dragged into it, and so he came specially to warn me to be careful."

Dou Yan let out a long breath, stroking her chest in relief. "Thank goodness, thank goodness!" Then she scolded fondly, "The old gentleman is impossible! Rushing over in such a fluster, he gave me a terrible fright."

"You were born in wealth and don't know what wealth is." Song Yan sighed. "If the old gentleman did not hold us in his heart at every hour, how would he have lost his composure? Never say such a thing again!"

His tone carried a trace of sorrow.

Dou Yan looked up in astonishment, and saw the corners of Song Yan's eyes were moist.

She could not help falling silent.

Song Yan thought his words had put Dou Yan in an awkward spot, and said with a smile, "I asked your father-in-law. He says he won't go climbing with you on the Double Ninth. He wants us to send Yuanheng to him. He'll look after Yuanheng at home."

Because the child was still so small, Dou Yan decided to leave Yuanheng at home.

Dou Yan could not help laughing.

Her father was now so content with his grandson that he wanted to go nowhere at all.

She nodded with a smile.